• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.170-181
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to report the efficacy of Korean medicine with Jeongri-tang Gagam-bang for treating psoriasis. Methods: A patient with psoriasis was treated with Jeongri-tang Gagam-bang (正理湯加減方). Moreover, acupuncture was performed on CV12 (中脘) and both sides of ST25 (天樞), GV20 (百會), LI4 (合谷), and LR3 (太衝) for 15 minutes. Psoriasis severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Pruritis and dyspepsia intensities were ranked on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of 0–10. Results: After treatment, the PASI changed from 21.6 to 1.6. Patient's pruritus had almost disappeared and dyspepsia had improved. Conclusions: This study shows that Jeongri-tang Gagam-bang (正理湯加減方) and acupuncture on CV12 (中脘), ST25 (天樞), GV20 (百會), LI4 (合谷), and LR3 (太衝) might be helpful to treat psoriasis symptoms by improving digestive function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2013

Pruritus is a unpleasant symptom in the skin that provokes the act of or desire to scratch. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions such as pruritus and inflammation. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the synergic anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix (SB) plus Flos Loncerae (FL) extracts in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), pruritogen-induced scratching mice and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic mice. We investigated the effect of SB, FL and SB plus FL extracts on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and histamine in RPMCs, on the scratching behavior in ICR mice, and skin clinical serverity and inflammatory mediators in DNFB-induced allergic hairless mice. RPMCs stimulated with PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine levels increased by PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 treatment were significantly inhibited by SB, FL in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, SB plus FL pretreatment had a synergic inhibitory effects on stimulator-induced cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$) and histamine production. Moreover, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin, substance P) in ICR mice. Furthermore, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on skin damage, inflammatory mediators, leukocyte and mast cell infiltration induced by DNFB in hairless mice. These results suggest that SB plus FL administration has a potential use as a medicinal plant for treatment against itching and inflammation-related skin disease.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2001

Background: Usually, lumbar epidural block is performed on the $L_{3-4}$ interspace. This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and shortening of labor duration comparing the $L_{1-2}$ and $L_{3-4}$ interspace epidural blocks in nulliparous normal vaginal deliveries and then investigates side effects following the blocks. Methods: Eighty healthy nulliparous women were divided into two groups, $L_{1-2}$ (n = 40) and $L_{3-4}$ (n = 40). Epidural blocks, lumbar epidural block were performed at the $L_{1-2}$ and $L_{3-4}$ interspace with a catheter advancing 3 cm cephalad. The initial dose of 12 ml (0.167% bupivacaine, fentanyl $50{\mu}g$ and clonidine $75{\mu}g$) was injected epidurally at 4 cm dilatation of cervix and severe pain of labor. If a visual analogue scale (VAS) score was more than 4 points, an additional dose was administered epidurally using the same volume as the above mentioned, but with the exception that the bupivacaine was diluted to 0.1 percentage. The maternal blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate and fetal heart rate were measured at 10 min intervals for the first 30 min, at 15 min interval for the next 30 min and at 30 min interval for the last one hour following the blocks. The duration of the first (active) and second stages of labor was counted and the neonatal Apgar score was recorded at one and five min after delivery. The degree of motor block, pruritus, nausea and vomiting were also noted. Results: The patients in group $L_{1-2}$ had lower pain scores than group $L_{3-4}$ at 5, 20, 30, 60 mins. The duration of 1st and 2nd labor stage in the $L_{3-4}$ epidural block were $272{\pm}33.5$ min, $49.2{\pm}27.4$ min respectively but those in the $L_{1-2}$ epidural block were $253.5{\pm}32.5$ min, $37.3{\pm}22.3$ min, respectively. Conclusions: We concluded the analgesic efficacy and shortening of labor duration in $L_{1-2}$ epidural block was better than those in $L_{3-4}$ epidural block. Maternal hemodynamic change, motor block. pruritus, nausea, vomiting and Apgar score showed no significant differences between the two groups.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1699-1705
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• 2006

Recent studies have suggested that oral bacteriotherapy with probiotics might be useful for preventing and managing childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral treatment with probiotics for adolescent and adult AD patients as well as for childhood AD patients. Sixty-four patients with mild to moderate AD were recruited for treatment with a mixture of four probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Biftdobacterium lactis) twice daily for 8 weeks. The degree of pruritus was determined by a 10-point visual analog scale every other week, and the patients' global assessments of their clinical responses (i.e., better, unchanged, or worse) was done at the end of intervention. The clinical severity of the eczema was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) score every other week. As laboratory markers, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the serum, and cytokine production [interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured at the beginning and at the end of intervention. Of the 64 enrolled AD patients, only 50 patients finally completed the 8-week study. After 8-week treatment with probiotics, the EASI score was significantly improved (p<0.0001), 50% of the patients experienced improvement of their eczema, and significant improvement of the pruritus was also observed (p=0.0002). The effect was more pronounced for the patients with very high IgE levels (>1,000 ku/l) or for the patients with moderate disease severity. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effects between the childhood AD and adolescent and adult AD patients. There were no significant changes of cytokines, as well as the total IgE and ECP levels, in the patients' serum. Treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains was generally well tolerated. Our results suggest that the treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains is beneficial for the management of the adolescent and adult AD patients, as well as for the childhood AD patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1693-1706
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• 2019

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of mainly infants and children. Currently, the development of safe and effective treatments for AD is urgently required. The present study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of yeast-extracted β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) LM1004 against AD-like symptoms. To purpose, β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 were orally administered to AD-induced animal models of rat (histamine-induced vasodilation) and mouse (pruritus and contact dermatitis) exhibiting different symptoms of AD. We then investigated the treatment effects on AD-like symptoms, gene expression of immune-related factors, and gut microbiomes. Oral administration of β-1,3/1,6-glucan (0.01 g/kg initial body weight) and/or 2 × 10¹² cells/g L. plantarum LM1004 (0.01 g/kg initial body weight) to AD-induced animal models showed significantly reduced vasodilation in the rat model, and pruritus, edema, and serum histamine in the mouse models (p < 0.05). Interestingly, β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 significantly decreased the mRNA levels of Th2 and Th17 cell transcription factors, while the transcription factors of Th1 and Treg cells, galactin-9, filaggrin increased, which are indicative of enhanced immunomodulation (p < 0.05). Moreover, in rats with no AD induction, the same treatments significantly increased the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Bacteroides. Furthermore, bacterial taxa associated with butyrate production such as, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae at family, and Roseburia at genus level were increased in the treated groups. These findings suggest that the dietary supplementation of β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 has a great potential for treatment of AD as well as obesity in humans through mechanisms that might involve modulation of host immune systems and gut microbiota.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2011

Objectives : Epidermal growth factor receptor-inhibitors have demonstrated improved overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but their use is associated with dermatologic adverse reactions that often require symptomatic treatment. Methods : A 44-year-old woman, who started the chemotherapy of Iressa$^{(R)}$ on August 2010, developed cutaneous symptoms such as papulopustular rash, dry skin, and pruritus on her face and scalp after taking Iressa$^{(R)}$ for four weeks. The patient visited our clinic with such symptoms on March 2011 and underwent herebal remedy targeted to alleviate the skin reactions. The severity of dermatologic symptoms was evaluated with the numeric rating scale and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results : Noticeable changes on the skin lesion were observed after the two months of treatment, without any dose modification of the Iressa$^{(R)}$. The cutaneous symptoms as papulopustular rash, dry skin and pruritus were improved and there was no adverse event induced by the treatment with herbal medicine. Conclusions : This case report suggests that the treatment with a herbal medicine, Samultang-gagambang be considered as a useful treatment to relieve EGFR-inhibitor induced dermatologic adverse reactions.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.29-59
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• 2016

Objectives PRAL (Prunus armeniaca Linne Var) has been known to suppress allergic reaction. However, the cellular target and its mechanism of action were unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of PRAL on RBL-2H3 mast cell, which is PMA-Ionomycin-induced activated in vitro and the effect of PRAL on the MNC/Nga mice that are DNCB-induced activated in vivo. Methods In this study, IL-4, IL-13 production were examined by ELISA analysis; IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31Ra, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and GM-CSF mRNA expression were examined by Real-time PCR; manifestations of AP-1 and MAPKs transcription factors were examined by western blotting in vitro. Then skin rashes have been evaluated and verified the distribution of mast cells by H&E and toluidine blue. Also, WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil, IgE level in serum, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-5 in the splenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+CD11b^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$ in the Axillary Lymph Node (ALN), PBMCs and dorsal skin and IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31Ra in the dorsal skin by Real-time PCR were all evaluated from the NC/BNga mice. Results As a result of this study, the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31Ra and $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, IL-13 production, shown in ELISA analysis, were suppressed by PRAL. Results from the western blot analysis showed decrease on the expression of mast-cell-specific transcription factors, including AP-1 and p-JNK, p-ERK. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of the AD-induced NC/Nga mice were improved by PRAL orally adminstration. Orally- administered PRAL group also showred decreased level of IgE in the serum. This group has shown decreased the level of IL-4, IL-5, but shown elevated $IFN-{\gamma}$ level in the splenocyte culture supernatant. The same group also has shown decreased cell numbers of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$ in the ALN, and $CD4^+$, $Gr-1^+CD11b^+$ in the dorsal skin. PRAL oral adminstration increased cell numbers of $CD4^+$, but decreased cell numbers of $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+CD11b^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the PBMCs. Conclusions Obtained results suggest that PRAL can regulate molecular mediators and immune cells that are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) induced in the NC/Nga mice. This may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms and suppressing pruritus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.50-58
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to find out the characteristics of outpatients and diseases in dermatology of Korean medicine and compare to previous studies.Methods : We reviewed the medical records of total 3,041 outpatients in dermatology of Korean medicine at Kyung Hee Korean medicine hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. We found out demographic characteristics of outpatients and observed the diseases in order of frequency by age and sex. Then, we compared these results to previous studies performed at same hospital in 2000 and 2007.Results and Conclusions : 1. Among the total 3,041 outpatients in 2011-2015, male patients were 1,184(38.87%) and female patients were 1,857(61.07%). 2. There were 203(6.68%) patients in 0-10 years old, 455(14.96%) patients in 11-20, 918(30.19%) patients in 21-30, 582(19.14%) patients in 31-40, 359(11.81%) patients in 41-50, 265(8.71%) patients in 51-60, and 259(8.52%) patients in more than 61 years old. 3. The common diseases in 2011-2015 were seborrheic dermatitis(17.33%), eczema(13.32%), urticaria(12.89%), atopic dermatitis(12.36%), pruritus(9.90%), acne(8.85%), and alopecia(6.08%). 4. The most common diseases by age groups were atopic dermatitis(0-10, 11-20 years old), seborrheic dermatitis(21-30, 31-40, 41-50 years old), urticaria(51-60 years old), and pruritus(more than 61 years old). 5. The common diseases in male patients were seborrheic dermatitis(20.69%), atopic dermatitis(15.46%), and urticaria(12.25%) and female patients were seborrheic dermatitis(15.19%), eczema(15.13%), and urticaria(13.30%). 6. The most increasing disease in the distribution between 2004-2006 and 2011-2015 is rosacea(+462.93%), and the most decreasing disease is vitiligo(-72.05%).

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.151-158
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• 1996

Background: Buprenorphine, a new synthetic thebaine derivative, is a partial agonist of the opioid $\mu$-receptor with high receptor affinity, great lipid solubility, and slow rate of opiate receptor association and dissociation. Continuous epidural infusion of opioid can possibly produced undesirable effects, such as respiratory depression, pruritus, etc, in spite of effective postoperative analgesia. Methods: The present study was undertaken to compare the analgesic properties and side effects of continuous epidural infusion of buprenorphine combined with bupivacaine, and morphine combined with bupivacaine in 90 patients following elective gynecologic lower abdominal surgery. At the end of surgery, the initial bolus doses were 3 mg morphine (M group), 0.15 mg buprenorphine (0.15B group), 0.3 mg buprenorphine (0.3B group) combined with 0.25% bupivacaine 10ml, and subsequent continuous infusion doses were 6 mg morphine plus 0.125% bupivacine 100 ml (M group) and 0.6mg buprenorphine plus 0.125% bupivacaine 100 ml (0.15B, 0.3B, group) during 48 hours. The assessment of analgesic efficacy and side effects were made at arrival of recovery room, 1 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr, 36 hr, and 48 hr after the epidural injection. Results: The pain score during 48 hours was significantly higher in the 0.15B group than in the M group and 0.3B group (P<0.05), and the number of patients requiring additional analgesics was significantly higher in the 0.15B group than in the M group and 0.3B group (P<0.05). Signs of respiratory depression were not noted, and the incidence of pruritus, nausea, and vomiting was slightly lower in the 0.15B group and 0.3B group than in the M group, and the incidence of sedation and urinary retention was similar in three group. The subjective rating of satisfaction was better in the 0.3B group than in the M group and 0.15B group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The above results suggest that continuous epidural infusion of buprenorphine combined with low-dose bupivacaine is an advisable method of postoperative analgesia.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2005

An about 5-month-old, female rabbit was presented with pruritus, alopecia and mucopurulent ocular discharge. On physical examination mild to moderate scales on whole body were observed. Dermatological lesions such as alopecia, erythema, papules, pustules and crusts were observed in the eyelids, nose, inner pinna, medial sites of four feet, metacarpal and metatarsal areas, and cranial site of left stifle joint. Also, mild conjunctivitis, blepharitis and keratitis were found. For extensive dermatologic diagnostic evaluation skin scraping, tape stripping, impression smear, combing, wood' light, bacterial culture and fungal culture were performed. Finally, Cheyletiella spp. was found by combing. Many heterophils and eosinophills were appeared in impression smear. The result of fungal culture was negative. Pasteurella spp was cultured. Definitive diagnosis of Cheyletiellosis and secondary Pasteurella spp infection were established. The rabbit was treated with 6 mg/kg of selamectin topically every two weeks and restricted in cage for one month. During one month of initial treatment, clinical signs such as pruritus, alopecia, scales, papules, pustules and crusts were remarkably improved. However, in spite of good therapeutic response of selamectin the rabbit was dead suddenly at 22 days after second administration of selamectin. This case showed that selamectin was possibly effective for cheyletiellosis in rabbit; safety of selamectin for rabbit was not identified.